PM releases postage stamp on Ustad Bismillah Khan

Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 22:02 [IST]

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today released a commemorative postage stamp on Shehnai Maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, brought by the Department of Posts as a tribute to the celebrated musician on his death anniversary.

It is in the denomination of five rupees.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said, ''...Ustad Bismillah Khan was a unique personification of India's composite culture. He became synonymous in the public imagination with the Shehnai he played so much that we remember every time we hear the SHehnai.'' The stamp release function at the Prime Minister's residence was attended by the Minister of Communications and IT Thiru A Raja and Minister of State Jyotiraditya M Scindia.

Ustad Bismillah Khan was conferred with the highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' in 2001. He passed away on August 21, 2006 at the age of ninety.